Three dimensional imaging system
OwnerJacob N. Wohlstadterinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Recent advances in surface techniques have lead to the development of extremely small (sub-micron) scale features. These techniques allow the formation of polymer micro-lenses as well as variable focus liquid lenses. The present invention primarily concerns the use of small scale lenses for the fabrication of novel displays which exhibit three-dimensional (3D) effects. Both still images and video images (or other motion images) can be generated.
Claims48
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- a two dimensional array of micro-lenses, at least some of the lenses having a variable focal length;
- and
- a two dimensional image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- at least one micro-lens in the array in registered alignment with one or more of the image points or pixels.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- a two dimensional array of variable focal length micro-lenses;
- and
- a two dimensional image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- at least one micro-lens in the array in registered alignment with one or more of the image points or pixels.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses, at least some of the lenses having a variable focal length;
- and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- each image point or pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- a first array of micro-lenses, at least some of the lenses in the first array having a variable focal length;
- a second array of micro-lenses, at least some of the lenses in the second array having a variable focal length;
- and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- each image point or pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the first array;
- at least one micro-lens in the second array in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the first array.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- an array of variable focal length micro-lenses;
- and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- each image point or pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array.
A three dimensional optical system comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses, each micro-lens having a fixed but individually predetermined focal length, the micro-lenses in the array having a plurality of focal lengths;
- and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- each image point or pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array.
A three dimensional optical system comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses, each micro-lens having a fixed focal length;
- and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- each image point or pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array.
A three dimensional optical system comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses, each micro-lens having a fixed but individually predetermined focal length;
- and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- each image point or pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array.
A three dimensional optical system comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses, each micro-lens having a fixed but individually predetermined focal length;
- and
- an image having a number of image points or pixels;
- at least one micro-lens in registered alignment with one or more image point or pixel.
An optical system for varying the apparent distance of a computer screen, comprising:
- an array of variable focal length micro-lenses;
- and
- a computer screen having a plurality of pixels;
- each pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array.
In an optical system comprising an array of variable focal length micro-lenses and a computer screen having a plurality of pixels in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array, a method for reducing eyestrain comprising the step of:
- periodically varying the focal length of all of the micro-lenses in the array, whereby the computer screen appears to become closer or further away.
In an optical system comprising an array of variable focal length micro-lenses and a computer screen having a plurality of pixels in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array, a method for reducing eyestrain comprising the step of:
- periodically varying the focal length of a subset of the micro-lenses in the array, whereby a portion of the computer screen appears to become closer or further away.
An optical system for varying the apparent distance of a computer screen, comprising:
- an array of variable focal length micro-lenses;
- and
- a computer screen having a plurality of pixels;
- at least one micro-lens in registered alignment with one or more pixels.
An optical system for varying the apparent distance of a two dimensional object, comprising:
- an array of variable focal length micro-lenses;
- and
- a two dimensional object having a plurality of points or pixels;
- each point or pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array.
An optical system for varying the apparent distance of a two dimensional object, comprising:
- an array of variable focal length micro-lenses;
- and
- a two dimensional object having a plurality of points or pixels;
- at least one micro-lens in registered alignment with one or more points or pixels.
An optical system for varying the apparent distance of a two dimensional object, comprising:
- an array of fixed focal length micro-lenses;
- and
- a two dimensional object having a plurality of points or pixels;
- each point or pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array.
An optical system for varying the apparent distance of a two dimensional object, comprising:
- an array of fixed focal length micro-lenses;
- and
- a two dimensional object having a plurality of points or pixels;
- at least one micro-lens in registered alignment with one or more points or pixels.
A method for generating a three dimensional image, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image having high depth of field and having a number of image points or pixels;
- and
- projecting light reflected from or emitted by each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a predetermined solid angle, the solid angle varying with the perceived distance of the image point or pixel from a viewer.
A method for generating a three dimensional image, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image having high depth of field and having a number of image points or pixels;
- and
- reflecting, transmitting, or emitting light from each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a predetermined solid angle, the solid angle varying with the perceived distance of the image point or pixel from a viewer.
A method for generating a three dimensional image, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image having a number of image points or pixels, the image being substantially in focus over a predetermined area;
- and
- projecting light reflected from or emitted by each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a predetermined solid angle, the solid angle varying with the perceived distance of the image point or pixel from a viewer.
A method for generating a three dimensional image, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image having a number of image points or pixels, the image being substantially in focus over a predetermined area;
- and
- reflecting, transmitting, or emitting light from each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a predetermined solid angle, the solid angle varying with the perceived distance of the image point or pixel from a viewer.
A method for generating optical effects, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image having a number of image points or pixels;
- and
- projecting light reflected from or emitted by each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a variable predetermined solid angle.
A method for generating optical effects, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image having a number of image points or pixels;
- and
- reflecting, transmitting, or emitting light from each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a variable predetermined solid angle.
A method for generating a three dimensional image, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image having high depth of field and having a number of image points or pixels;
- and
- projecting light reflected from or emitted by each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a variable predetermined solid angle.
A method for generating a three dimensional image, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image having high depth of field and having a number of image points or pixels;
- and
- reflecting, transmitting, or emitting light from each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a variable predetermined solid angle.
A method for generating a three dimensional image, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image having a number of image points or pixels, the image being substantially in focus over a predetermined area;
- and
- projecting light reflected from or emitted by each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a variable predetermined solid angle.
A method for generating a three dimensional image, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image having a number of image points or pixels, the image being substantially in focus over a predetermined area;
- and
- reflecting, transmitting, or emitting light from each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a variable predetermined solid angle.
A method for generating a three dimensional image, comprising the steps of:
- generating a two dimensional image using an optical system having a large depth of field, the image having a number of image points or pixels;
- and
- projecting light reflected from or emitted by each of the image points or pixels so as to generate a cone of light having a variable predetermined solid angle.
A method for generating a changing three dimensional image using a variable focus micro-lens array, comprising the steps of:
- generating a sequential series of two dimensional images that are substantially in focus over a predetermined area, the images having a number of image points or pixels;
- projecting light reflected from or emitted by each of the image points or pixels through the micro-lenses in the array so as to generate a cone of light having a predetermined solid angle, the solid angle varying with the perceived distance of the image point or pixel from a viewer;
- and
- varying the focal length of each micro-lens in the array as appropriate with each sequential image.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- an array of variable focal length liquid micro-lenses formed on a SAM;
- and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- each the image point or pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- an array of variable focal length liquid micro-lenses formed on a SAM;
- and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- at least one micro-lens in the array in registered alignment with one or more image points or pixels.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- a first array of micro-lenses, at least some of the lenses in the first array having a variable focal length and being colored;
- a second array of micro-lenses, at least some of the lenses in the second array having a variable focal length and being colored;
- a third array of micro-lenses, at least some of the lenses in the third array having a variable focal length and being colored;
- and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- each image point or pixel in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the first array;
- at least one micro-lens in the second array in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the first array;
- at least one micro-lens in the third array in registered alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the second array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.